Associated Campaign

The Media, Diversity, & Social Change Initiative is the leading think tank in the world studying diversity and inclusion in entertainment through original research and sponsored projects. MDSCI exists to foster inclusion and give a voice to disenfranchised or marginalized groups and offers simple actions for complex solutions to facilitate social change at the student, industry, and societal level.

What We’re Fighting For

How We Will Win

Equality for Women and Underrepresented Racial Groups in Media

Top grossing movies at the box office are still woefully inadequate when it comes to the portrayal and prevalence of females, underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, the LGBT community, and individuals with disabilities. We can change that.

Just Add Five

If screenwriters simply added 5 female speaking characters to each film in the top 100 each year, we could reach gender parity in four years.

Are you a writer? Do you know a writer? Encourage them to add 5 female characters to their scripts. You can also ask producers, casting directors, assistant directors, and directors—anyone who plays a creative role in film making to do the same.

Equality for Women and Underrepresented Racial Groups in Media

Top grossing movies at the box office are still woefully inadequate when it comes to the portrayal and prevalence of females, underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, the LGBT community, and individuals with disabilities. We can change that.

Be An Active Audience Member

If we want more stories by, for, and about women, we have to support them. It can sometimes be difficult to find these films to support.

If you’re an audience member, follow @MDSCInitiative on Twitter or Facebook to see info on what’s coming to theaters. Be on the lookout for projects and films we’re watching and supporting.

If you’re a philanthropist or want to financially support filmmakers, check out groups like Seed & Spark, as well as Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, GoFundMe and other platforms.

Equality for Women and Underrepresented Racial Groups in Media

Top grossing movies at the box office are still woefully inadequate when it comes to the portrayal and prevalence of females, underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, the LGBT community, and individuals with disabilities. We can change that.

Ask A-listers to Add an Equity Rider

An equity rider clause would ask for a film’s cast to match the demography of where the story is set. This way, even small parts can reflect reality. But even if you’re not an A-list actor (like most of us), you can help. Reach out to your favorite actors and demand that they take action, too. Here’s a list of sample tweets or posts you can use:

How to end Hollywood’s epidemic of invisibility: @ACTOR adds an #EquityRider to his/her contract. Ask @MDSCInitiative how to make progress now.

Hey @ACTOR! Will you add an #EquityRider to your contract to end Hollywood’s epidemic of invisibility? @MDSCInitiative can tell you how.

If @ACTOR adds an #EquityRider to his/her contract, equality in media could actually happen. @MDSCInitiative can help.